Morris and Heath

Morris and Heath is a design-led cafe on Old Geelong Road in Hoppers Crossing, as well known for its spotted-gum timber fit-out as for its coffee, and dogs are welcome across the outdoor seating. It has become one of the western suburbs' go-to brunch stops, with waffles, chilli scrambled eggs and southern fried chicken benedict doing the talking.

The dog setup

Dogs join you in the outdoor and footpath seating rather than indoors, in a casual strip-side setting that works fine for a well-settled dog. Water bowls are usually available in the outdoor section, and staff are generally easygoing with polite pups, though there is no dedicated dog menu.

The tables sit close to foot traffic through the shopping complex, so keep the lead short and pick a spot off the walkway if your dog is still learning cafe manners. Weekday mornings are the relaxed window; weekends bring a queue and a busier pavement.

Max: alfresco strip seating means every pram and plate passes close by. I park my dog on my side, away from the footpath, and the meal goes smoothly.

Worth knowing

Hours run 7am to 3pm Monday to Thursday, with later finishes of 4pm Friday to Sunday. The award-winning interior is the local talking point, but your dog will be handling the alfresco side of things anyway.

Getting there

The cafe is at 13/24-48 Old Geelong Road, Hoppers Crossing, inside the shopping complex, with plenty of free parking on site and flat access to the entrance. It is a short drive from Werribee or Point Cook, and the Old Geelong Road strip also holds other dog-friendly stops.

Make a day of it

Walk the run off first at the D1 Drainage Reserve Off-Leash Corridor, or make it a two-cafe morning with Jock + Mack further along Old Geelong Road. If you have the whole day, the Diversion Weir Dog Off Leash Area in Werribee is a solid riverside run.

More options are on the Victoria cafe guide and the Hoppers Crossing destination page.